Disclaimer: In the interest of full disclosure; this author of this article, that being myself, is a Fundamentalist Baptist. I wholeheartedly reject the doctrine of laying on of hands and casting demons out of people. Please see this Statement of Faith here, to see what I believe. (Please note, I do NOT attend this Church!)
The Story:
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (WPIX) – A video which shows an exorcism of a teen to drive out apparent “homosexual demons” has sparked outrage among several gay rights activists.
The video, which was posted on YouTube, features church elders from the Manifested Glory Ministries Church in Bridgeport performing the exorcism on the 16-year-old boy.
“Right now I command you to leave!” screamed one of the church leaders involved with the exorcism in the video.
The teenager is seen rolling around on the ground, moaning and screaming – at one point he even vomits.
Although it was never confirmed to be a gay exorcism, repeated references to the subject’s sexual orientation suggests it was.
“Right now in the name of Jesus, I call the homosexuality, right now in the name of Jesus,” a church elder is heard screaming to the teen.
It’s unclear when the 20 minute video was made or if the teen suffered any physically injuries from what appeared to be near seizures.
Meantime, advocacy groups for gay youths are calling the video abuse and want authorities to get involved.
Robin McHaelen, executive director of True Colors said she plans on reporting the incident to the Connecticut Department of Children and Families, according to the Associated Press.
The video has since been taken down from YouTube, however the footage is still making its rounds on the internet.
via Apparent Gay Exorcism in Conn. Church Causes Outrage – WPIX.
First of all; This Church is to blame for the good part of this story. In this day of Anti-Christian sentiment in this Country and rampant Liberalism; you never, ever, post a video of this sort on youtube or on a website. In only can cause you extreme grief, as you can see here. Second of all, I have reason to believe that this little video was, as are most of the theatrics in “Pentecostal” Churches; most likely faked.
Just as well, I believe that if there is any sort of penalty for this little incident; it is to be known that this Church, because of their foolish actions of putting it on the internet, is to blame. In other words, they should have known better.
(H/T Drudge)
Not necessarily fake. It is much more sinister than that. I worked as the audio guy for one of these churches once, for about a year. I remember reading an article that explains the various ways in which people at these services are basically ‘hypnotized’- the music actually has alot to do with it. These services usually start out with upbeat, uplifting music which gets the adrenaline flowing and the mind ready. The songs gradually get more ‘spiritual’, or slow, usually dropping to about 60 beats per minute- the average rate of the human heart. After the high of the happy clappy songs, this slow-down makes the listener ‘crash’, and their brains enter an alpha state- the same state professional hypnotists induce. The pastor will usually help this along with a low, monotone chant (yes, lord. thank you, lord. yes jesus, etc). low, monotonous keyboard or organ chords are usually employed here, too. Once the crowd is gently swaying and looking heavenward with arms raised, the pastor knows that enough have been induced, and at this point more than likely begins the ‘offering’ or collection of money.
Working the sound board, I saw this pattern repeated at every single service, and have myself felt the power of this technique, when I took off the headphones and listened, or was simply a part of the audience at some services. With the headphones on, the music is blocked out so the sound team can communicate with each other, and you never see the sound team enter that same ‘worshipful’ state that the audience does. And believe me, any variation of the music that is not approved by the pastor will be harshly dealt with- the pastors know good and well what they are doing when they organize the service this way. Anyways, it’s the same with the ‘exorcisms’ or ‘speaking in tongues’- it’s simply an exercise in group hypnotism. The monotonous, repeated chanting of the ‘tongues’ and especially the peer pressure to join in is really what does it. That kid in the video, I guarantee you, was scared shitless and only did what he did out of fear, being surrounded by adults screaming at him and commanding something to happen- knowing that it would not stop until he played along. It’s disgusting.
I agree Sir. I’ve seen much of what you speak about. I grew up in the assembles of God (so called of course….)
I came out of the “pentecostal” movement in 2004. Happy to report that I am a KJV-Believing Fundamental Baptist. As I was, when I accepted Jesus in 1982. 21 years; wasted, in a Cult.
-Pat